Petrol BMW 3 Series: MOT pass rate

76.8% of petrol BMW 3 Series pass the MOT first time, measured across 132,188 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 97,568.

Petrol against the other BMW 3 Series versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Petrol cars avoid the DPF and emissions failures that catch diesels, and usually fail on the same consumables as any other car.

On the BMW 3 Series specifically, hybrid is the strongest at 85.2%, and this petrol version sits 0.6 points below the 77.4% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average petrol BMW 3 Series had covered 97,568 miles at test, against 116,477 for the diesel and 79,365 for the hybrid. That is above average and into the range where cambelts and water pumps are due if they have not already been done, so ask for the service history rather than take the mileage on trust.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the BMW 3 Series page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a petrol BMW 3 Series

1. Emissions levels exceed default limits, 1.3% of tests (3.73x the national rate for this defect)
2. Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer, 1.6% of tests (3.05x the national rate for this defect)
3. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 2.8% of tests (2.99x the national rate for this defect)
4. Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement, 2.2% of tests (1.72x the national rate for this defect)
5. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 2.1% of tests (1.63x the national rate for this defect)
6. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 1.6% of tests (1.48x the national rate for this defect)
7. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 2.2% of tests (1.33x the national rate for this defect)
8. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 2.1% of tests (1.26x the national rate for this defect)
9. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 4.2% of tests
10. A tyre seriously damaged, 3.1% of tests

From 133,481 DVSA-tracked petrol BMW 3 Series tests, 2024, split out from the BMW 3 Series's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 4.7% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a petrol BMW 3 Series

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched, 11.8% of tests (21.03x the national rate for this defect)
2. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 15.6% of tests (2.8x the national rate for this defect)
3. A brake hose ferrule excessively corroded, 3% of tests (2.37x the national rate for this defect)
4. Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded, 13.1% of tests (2.12x the national rate for this defect), also fails
5. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 7.2% of tests (1.85x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 3.9% of tests (1.46x the national rate for this defect)
7. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 27% of tests
8. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 15.2% of tests, also fails
9. A tyre seriously damaged, 11.7% of tests, also fails
10. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 10.3% of tests

From 133,481 DVSA-tracked petrol BMW 3 Series tests, 2024.

Other BMW 3 Series fuel types

• Diesel BMW 3 Series - 77.6%
• Hybrid BMW 3 Series - 85.2%

All BMW 3 Series MOT data · Every model